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. What can I do if I experience health effects from exposures to solvents? <br />If you have symptoms you think might be from exposure to solvents, talk to you physician or <br />other health care provider. They will help you evaluate your symptoms and medical condition(s) <br />and determine what steps are necessary to protect your health. In addition, you may identify <br />steps to reduce your exposures to solvents in a variety of consumer products (e.g., paints, glues, <br />adhesives) that are used in or around the home. <br />Evaluating health risks from exposures to solvents or other chemicals in the environment is <br />difficult because there is usually little information about the levels of solvents in the air. <br />Measuring how often and for how long people are exposed is seldom done. While there is <br />information about health risks from high exposures to solvents in the workplace, not much is <br />known about long-term exposures to low levels of solvents. <br />How do I reduce my exposures to solvents? <br />The steps that you may take to reduce exposures to solvents depend, in part, on the source(s) of <br />your exposure. <br />If the source is an industry in your community, you can work to identify ways to reduce solvent <br />emissions through encouraging adoption of a variety of pollution prevention measures. These <br />measures may provide other benefits by reducing chemical exposures for people who work and <br />live in your community, and also by improving efficiency and reducing waste. Examples of <br />pollution prevention measures include the use of"least toxic" or "low odor" chemicals, and <br />introducing best practices and technologies that reduce emissions. <br />0 You also can reduce your exposures to solvents by avoiding certain consumer products in and <br />around the home. For example, paints, carpets, glues, and adhesives contain solvents that may <br />produce strong odors and impact indoor air quality. When purchasing paints, for example, read <br />the label and look for "water-based" or "low VOC" products. "VOC" stands for volatile organic <br />chemicals, which are one type of solvent commonly found in paints and other consumer <br />products. <br />How can I obtain more information? <br />For questions or additional information about health risks from exposures to solvents, contact: <br />• Chuck Stroebel at chuck. stroebel&state.mn.us or 651/201-4927 <br />• Tannie Eshenaur at tannie.eshenaur a,state.mn.us or 651/201-4$73 <br />Adapted from the National Library of Medicine ("Tox Town"). <br />MDH/Site Assessment and Consultation: (651) 201-4897 or 1 (800) 657-3908, press "4" and leave a <br />message. <br />To request this document in another format, call (651) 201-5000 or TDD: (651) 201-5797 <br />More information is available on the MDH Web site at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/ <br />This information sheet was prepared with partial support from the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry <br />0 (ATSDR). Ilowever, ATSDR has not reviewed or endorsed this information sheet. <br />